looking back and looking ahead i - la roche university · la roche’s new satellite campus may...
TRANSCRIPT
t doesn’t seem possible that I have already finished my first
full year as president of La Roche College. It is truly an honor
to lead this College, and I am grateful to the many alumni and
friends of the College who have offered their encouragement,
support and involvement over the past year. Your help has
been an essential ingredient in making this a successful year for
La Roche.
One of the highlights of the year was the inauguration. Words
really cannot describe both the pride and the humility that I felt
at the installation ceremony. Proud to be heading the college
founded by my religious community, but at the same time
humbled to contemplate the accomplishments of the women
who had preceded me in this task. At the same time, I was also
filled with pride for the College itself. The inauguration was an
opportunity to shine the regional spotlight on La Roche College
and let the community know what a vibrant and important
institution it is. And judging from the many compliments I
received from civic, business and educational leaders who took
part in the inauguration activities, the College impressed a great
many people.
There are good reasons for people to be impressed with La Roche,
including our high-quality academic programs, our state-of-the-art
facilities, and our dedicated faculty and staff. But no facet of the
College is more impressive than our alumni. With 90 percent of
our graduates living, working and making their homes in the
region, our alumni continue to make an impact on the greater
Pittsburgh community. I could ask for no better example of the
quality of La Roche College. In fact, one of the most gratifying
experiences I have as president is to hear positive feedback about
our graduates from area employers.
As we begin a new academic year, we can see examples that
La Roche’s value is being increasingly recognized. Perhaps none
is more indicative of that than enrollment for the fall semester.
We have enrolled one of the largest freshman classes in the history
of the College. That, coupled with the significant improvement
in student retention that we are experiencing, provides a very
positive outlook as we move into the future.
Like any independent college or university, La Roche still faces
some challenges. However, after one year as president, I am more
convinced than ever that La Roche College is an important asset
to our community and an institution that, with your continued
help and involvement, can make a real difference in the lives of
the people that we serve.
Sister Candace Introcaso, CDP, Ph.D.
President
I
Sister Candace Introcaso holds her weekly meeting with the President’s
Executive Council.
Looking Back and Looking Ahead
FEATURESla roche magazine / fall 2005
LA ROCHE
To Light Through LoveLa Roche College inaugurates
its seventh president.
6 COVER STORY
10 FOCUS
A Powerful AllianceLa Roche enters into a ground-
breaking educational partnership
in the region.
14 PROFILE Final GiftA scholarship fund pays tribute
to a former College instructor.
la roche m a g a z i n e
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Ken Service
EDITOR
Jeff Donaldson
ART DIRECTOR
Greg Kemper ‘99
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Mike Willy ‘03
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Ron Cichowicz
Darrah Muchoney ‘01
COVER PHOTO
Robert V. Capalbo
PHOTOGRAPHY
Greg Blackman
David Day
Ric Evans
Dave Siroki
EDITORIAL CONSULTANT
Arlene Wible
ONLINE MAGAZINE PRODUCTION
Dave Siroki
COLLEGE OFFICERS
Sister Candace Introcaso, CDP, Ph.D.
President
Howard J. Ishiyama, Ph.D.
Vice President for Academic Affairs
and Dean of Graduate Studies
Colleen Ruefle, M.A.
Vice President for Student Life
and Dean of Students
Kenneth P. Service, B.A.
Vice President for Institutional Relations
Robert A. Vogel, B.B.A.
Vice President for Finance
and Chief Financial Officer
George Zaffuto, M.S.
Vice President for Administrative Services
La Roche College is a four-year, coeducational, independent,
Catholic college located in the North Hills of Pittsburgh which
strives to develop globally conscious, values-oriented leaders. Its
curricula integrates professional and liberal studies to provide
students with the basis for meaningful intellectual, cultural and
personal development as well as success in the pursuit of their
careers. LA ROCHE MAGAZINE tells some of the College’s many
stories and provides a forum for discussion about issues of the
day on which La Roche people are making an impact. La Roche
College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, age,
sex, place of origin or status as a veteran. LA ROCHE MAGAZINE
is published by the Office of Public Relations.
www.laroche.edu
3 PRESIDENTIAL RECOGNITION
The nation’s chief executive singles out a La Roche student for high honors.
3 TEAM-4-A-DAY
Students, staff and faculty lend a helping hand in Pittsburgh area neighborhoods.
4 FRESH FACES
The College’s renewed commitment to recruitment and retention.
5 WELL WOVEN WEB
National recognition for La Roche’s website.
8 A GALA CELEBRATION
Benefactors, Regents and Trustees celebrate the inauguration of President Introcaso.
9 CHAIN OF OFFICE
The College’s mission becomes the centerpiece of a medallion to be worn by its president.
12 CHOOSE YOUR PARTNER
A comprehensive look at La Roche’s strong partnerships in greater Pittsburgh.
13 PRISM
High school students produce documentaries while discussing global poverty.
16 A CONGRESSWOMAN’S ADVICE
Rep. Melissa Hart addresses the class of 2005.
17 WOMAN OF PROVIDENCE
A longtime La Roche administrator receives a well-deserved honor.
17 HEAD OF THE CLASS
Students recognize the efforts of a professor of education.
18 SERVICE ABOVE SELF
A La Roche alumna reaches out to inner-city high school students.
CONTENTSDEPARTMENTS
IN THIS ISSUE
INSIDE COVER
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
6 COVER STORY: TO LIGHT THROUGH LOVE
President Introcaso’s inauguration marks a new era for the College.
10 FOCUS: A POWERFUL ALLIANCE
La Roche’s new satellite campus may serve as a model for the nation.
14 PROFILE: FINAL GIFT
A former professor’s legacy paves the way for women to return to college.
19 CAMPUS CLIPS
la roche magazine / fall 2005
FALL 2005 3
Team- 4 -A-Dayt has been a year since heavy rains and
flash flooding swept through suburban
Pittsburgh communities such as Etna
and Millvale. In cooperation with Hosanna Industries,
La Roche students, staff and faculty participated in the
“Team-4-A-Day” initiative. La Roche volunteers joined
trained professionals for minor home repairs, painting and
cleaning in communities affected by the flooding. The
College’s Office of Campus Ministry and Community Service
spearheaded the effort, one that replaced this year’s
Alternative Spring Break program at La Roche.
“I felt it was important to help our own,” said Sister Marilyn
Bergt, coordinator of community service. In the past,
students who participated in Alternative Spring Break
would travel to West Virginia and perform minor house
repairs in disadvantaged areas.
The first “Team-4-A-Day” program ran from March 16
through 19 and March 21 through 23, which coincided with
spring break and Easter break for La Roche students.
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PHOTO: RIC EVANS
Throughout the school year, groups of students and faculty returned
to the communities recovering from the flooding to perform more
necessary repairs.
“The floodwaters receded long ago, but the need for help remains,”
said Bergt. “We’re committed to doing our part for as long as it takes.”
Sr. Marilyn Bergt (right) works with a volunteer during “Team-4-A-Day.”
Presidential Recognitionnly a select group of college students
across the nation can say that they
have been honored by the President
of the United States. Jennie Roth, a La Roche College junior,
can now claim membership in that exclusive club. On Monday, March 7,
Roth received the President’s Volunteer Service Award from President
Bush when he arrived in Pittsburgh for a visit.
“It was an honor,” said Roth, a Pittsburgh native who was part of
a contingent of people that met Air Force One and then joined the
presidential motorcade for the day. “It was quite an experience.”
Roth received her award for her volunteer work at the Providence
Family Support Center on Pittsburgh’s North Side. Established by the
Sisters of Divine Providence, the College’s founding congregation, the
center serves underprivileged families in the area. President Bush and
First Lady Laura Bush visited the center during their stop in Pittsburgh.
“Over the years, I’ve gotten to know the families and people at the
center,” said Roth, who began volunteering as a freshman through her
work with Project Achievement at La Roche. “You never know what
the kids are going through at home, but when they’re at the center,
they know they’re going to enjoy themselves. I like being part of that.”
The President’s Volunteer Service Award, an initiative of the
President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, is available
to Americans of all ages who have demonstrated their dedication to
volunteer service.
O
PHOTO: DAVID DAY
4 LA ROCHE MAGAZINE
Fresh Facest the beginning of the 2005-06
academic year, the La Roche
community witnessed one of
the most tangible signs of the College’s
recent growth and development.
Faculty welcomed into their classrooms one of the largest
contingents of new students in La Roche’s history. “The
success of this enrollment initiative is another example of
La Roche’s renewed focus on recruitment and retention,”
said Sister Candace Introcaso, La Roche president. “Our new
students are some of the best and brightest young people
from across the region, the nation and the world. We’re
excited about challenging them to think like global citizens.”
“We’re delighted by the number and quality of students
that are attending La Roche for the first time. We are also
proud to say that this class continues to reflect the cultural
diversity that is a hallmark of La Roche,” said Thomas
Schaefer, vice president of academic affairs and dean of
enrollment services. La Roche’s new students come from
more than 20 countries and 25 states.
Along with a nationally acclaimed website (see companion
article), counselors in the Office of Admissions are recruiting
the next freshman class with recently updated marketing
materials, including a new freshman view book that gives
prospective students a comprehensive look at how a La Roche
education can prepare them for the next step in their lives.
Produced by the College’s Office of Public Relations, the
view book articulates the College’s approach to education,
one that combines thoughtful instruction, personalized
attention and 21st-century technology to prepare students
for a global economy. It highlights the College’s beautiful
campus at the doorstep of Pittsburgh, PA, a campus that is
A
“Our new students are some of the best and brightest young people from
across the region, the nation and the world. We’re excited about challenging
them to think like global citizens.” - Sister Candace Introcaso
PHOTOGRAPHY: RIC EVANS
FALL 2005 5
Well Woven Webtudies show that prospective college students begin
their search for the right college online. Couple this
notion with an increasingly wired world, and it is crucial
for any college or university to have a well-designed website.
Over the past year, La Roche College received independent confirmation that its
website is living up to the challenge. The site (www.laroche.edu) ranks among the
top seven percent of college and university websites nationally, according to
a study by the National Research Center for College and University Admissions
(NRCCUA). The 2004 study examined almost 3,000 sites to determine their
effectiveness as a student recruitment tool. The study evaluated each site on 40
different objective criteria, including appeal, ease of navigation, completeness of
information and overall quality. The La Roche College website was ranked 212th
out of the 2,931 sites evaluated. In April 2005, the site received national acclaim
with a citation from the Communicator Awards (see article on page 20).
The College unveiled the new website in October 2003, replacing its two-year-old
predecessor. Among the improvements are a more user-friendly navigational
system; detailed information on how to plan a visit to campus; a comprehensive
look at admissions, financial aid and student life at La Roche; an online application;
biographical information on deans and faculty members; an augmented presence
for athletics; a search function; and a site map. In 2005, the College added several
new sections to the site: one dedicated specifically to La Roche College Cranberry
Woods, the College’s new satellite campus (see article on page 6); and a component
aimed at recruiting international students, which supports a goal articulated by
the Division of Enrollment Services to explore new markets for the College.
nationally ranked for being safe and
culturally diverse. In addition, the view book
underscores the College’s firm commitment
to its Catholic roots and a belief that a
college education should involve more
than solely intellectual or social pursuits.
Schaefer and his staff have outlined some
aggressive recruitment goals for the 2005-
2006 school year. He added that the College
is committed to opening new markets, in
the United States and in Europe, Asia and
the Caribbean.
“We’re delighted by the num-
ber and quality of students
that are attending La Roche
for the first time.”
- Thomas Schaefer
S
6 LA ROCHE MAGAZINE
CO
VE
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TO
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The College’s New Leader Invokes
La Roche’s History and Its Ties to the Region.
To Light Through Love
n its 42-year history, La Roche College has benefited from the leadership of
talented and dedicated women who were also members of its sponsoring
congregation, the Sisters of Divine Providence. To open its newest chapter, the
College has turned once again to its founders. This spring, La Roche College
hosted the inauguration of its seventh president, Sister Candace Introcaso, CDP, Ph.D.,
the fifth member of her congregation to serve in this crucial role at the College.
B Y J E F F D O N A L D S O N
I
PHOTOGRAPHY: RIC EVANS
As a fitting tribute to the ties that bind the College and the congregation, the inauguration of
President Introcaso began with Candlelight Vespers on Thursday, April 7, in the Mother of Divine
Providence Chapel, located in Providence Heights. The Sisters of Divine Providence and members
of the La Roche Community gathered to offer prayers and wish Introcaso well in her new
endeavor. On Friday, April 8, the La Roche community gathered for formal installation ceremonies,
held in the Kerr Fitness and Sports Center. Participants included the Most Reverend Donald W.
Wuerl, STD, bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh; Congresswoman Melissa Hart; State Senator
Jane Orie; and Dan Onorato, Allegheny County Chief Executive. Twenty-four colleges and
universities sent delegates to the ceremony. Among the delegates were Robert M. Smith, president
of Slippery Rock University; and Edward A. Nicholson, president of Robert Morris University.
“As president, I promise to lead the efforts now and into the future
that will determine what new bold statements La Roche will make.
I commit myself to work tirelessly for the fulfillment of this mission.”
- Sister Candace Introcaso
“La Roche College stands at the threshold, ready to identify ways in
which it might continue the mission to seek knowledge in the context
of faith and culture. It is what makes us distinctive. It is what helps
us to make a difference.” - Sister Candace Introcaso
FALL 2005 7
In her inaugural address, President Introcaso offered insight into the theme for the inauguration,
“To Light Through Love,” which is the English translation of the College’s motto, “Ad Lucem Per
Amorem.” She called it the essence of a liberal education and said La Roche’s founders knew that
the search for knowledge must not happen apart from the cultivation of the human spirit. In her
view, these early women educators realized the significance of these words in shaping a mission
where the acquisition of formal knowledge was always informed by attention to the development
of the whole person. Introcaso also noted that while the College has grown and changed since
it was founded, La Roche has remained true to its roots, even in the context of a 21st-century
global society.
“La Roche College stands at the threshold, ready to identify ways in which it might continue the
mission to seek knowledge in the context of faith and culture. It is what makes us distinctive. It
is what helps us to make a difference,” said Introcaso. “As president, I promise to lead the efforts
now and into the future that will determine what new bold statements La Roche will make. I
commit myself to work tirelessly for the fulfillment of this mission.”
As La Roche College enters its fifth decade of providing a quality Catholic education, it is now
home to students from more than 20 nations. While Introcaso acknowledged La Roche’s global
reach, she also articulated one of her many priorities. In her view, the College must continue to
strengthen its substantial ties to the greater Pittsburgh area.
“Our students, and perhaps more significantly our graduates, continue to make an impact on
the greater Pittsburgh community. In fact, 90 percent of our graduates live, work and make their
homes in the region,” said Introcaso. “Their commitment to the area is reflective of the College’s
fidelity to its founding commitment to providing educational opportunities to the people of
southwestern Pennsylvania.”
One way for La Roche to partner with the region is to develop educational programs specifically
for adults, options that take into account Pittsburgh’s efforts to redefine itself in a shifting economy
that places less emphasis on manufacturing jobs.
“Recognizing the economic realities of the region, we are now redoubling our emphasis on the
adult student, both as a way to help the individuals who need further education or training to
gain employment, as well as to demonstrate our commitment to helping the Pittsburgh region
8 LA ROCHE MAGAZINE
A Gala Celebration n Saturday, April 9, the College com-
munity celebrated the inauguration
of President Introcaso with a Presi-
dential Inaugural Gala, held at the Westin
Convention Center Hotel in Pittsburgh.
“The La Roche College Board of Regents played a crucial
leadership role in planning and executing this important
event,” said Ken Service, vice president for institutional
relations and co-chair of the Inaugural Committee.
“We believe it was a fitting tribute to the College’s new
leader, and we thank our many event sponsors who helped
make this a fundraising success,” said Ralph Gilbert,
senior vice president of HDR, Inc., chair of the La Roche
College Board of Regents and co-chair of the Inaugural
Gala Committee
The black-tie affair drew more than 300 guests to the
Allegheny Grand Ballroom for an evening of music and
dancing. Guests included Dolores Bold, longtime benefactor
of La Roche College; Sister Mary Joan Coultas, provincial
director of the Congregation of Divine Providence; Jim
Delligatti, president of M & J Management and member of
the La Roche College Board of Trustees, accompanied by
his wife Lois; Marylouise Fennell, past president of Carlow
University; Robert Fragasso, president of The Fragasso
Group; Ralph Gilbert, accompanied by his wife, Dottie;
Kathy Kozdemba, co-chair of the La Roche College Board
regain its economic vitality,” stressed Introcaso. “Our participation
in the Regional Learning Alliance at Cranberry Woods is just one
manifestation of this renewed emphasis on serving the adult
learner (see article on page 10).”
Peter Mulloney, chair of the La Roche College Board of Trustees,
and Kathy Kozdemba, co-chair of the Board, presided at the instal-
lation ceremony where they presented President Introcaso with an
official copy of the College’s mission and the chain of office.
On Saturday, April 9, members of the College community gathered
for an academic symposium titled “Seeking Common Ground,”
held in the Zappala College Center. Keynote speaker was Rev.
Eugene Lauer, director of the National Pastoral Life Center in New
York, NY, and former member of La Roche’s administrative staff.
Later that evening, the campus community celebrated Introcaso’s
inauguration at the Presidential Inaugural Gala, held at the Westin
Convention Center Hotel in Pittsburgh.
President Introcaso is a former member of La Roche’s Board of
Trustees. Prior to her election as La Roche’s seventh president, she
served as vice president for planning and assessment at Barry
University in Miami, FL. She began her career in higher education
at La Roche College in the late 1980s, serving as both a faculty
member and administrator. Introcaso received her Ph.D. in
higher education administration from The Claremont Graduate
University, where she also received the Hausam-Fisk Award
for Excellence in Higher Education. She also holds an M.A. in
sociology from Fordham University and a B.A. in psychology from
Shippensburg University.
CO
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TO
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O
Sister Candace Introcaso (left) with Sister Michelle Bisbey, holder
of the Ketteler Endowed Chair of Theology and member of the Sisters
of Divine Providence.
Bishop Donald Wuerl and Board of Trustees chair Peter Mulloney congratulate
Sr. Candace Introcaso upon her installation as La Roche’s seventh president.
“Our students, and perhaps more significantly
our graduates, continue to make an impact on
the greater Pittsburgh community. In fact, 90
percent of our graduates live, work and make
their homes in the region.” - Sister Candace Introcaso
FALL 2005 9
Chain of Officeo mark President Introcaso’s inauguration,
Lauren Lampe, associate professor of design,
was commissioned to create a new chain of
office for the President to wear at official College
functions. The resulting sculpture is a double-strand, hand-woven
sterling silver chain and accompanying sterling silver medallion.
Its design reflects both the College’s mission and commitment to
its core values.
The six-foot-long chain has two major components. The thousands
of small links in the chain represent the founders, donors, past
presidents, board members, faculty, staff, students and other
supporters whose contributions have built and maintained the
College. The three leaf-shaped links incorporated into the chain
represent the three schools in existence at La Roche at this
moment in history: the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of
the Professions, and the School of Graduate Studies.
The medallion is a bowl and a rim hand-fashioned from sterling
silver. The rim incorporates four compass points, representing the
College’s commitment to educating people from across the nation
and around the world. The center of the bowl carries the College’s
seal and motto, “Ad Lucem Per Amorem,” which means “To Light
Through Love.” The College’s motto formed the theme for
Introcaso’s inauguration. Use of both the seal and motto in the
center of the medallion serves as a reminder of the College’s
Catholic identity.
T
of Trustees and co-chair of the Inaugural Committee,
accompanied by Bill Coyne; Steven Massaro, vice president
of business development at the Massaro Company and
member of the Board of Trustees, accompanied by
Stephanie Bernaciak; Peter Mulloney, chair of the Board of
Trustees, accompanied by his wife, Marie; Sister Jeanne
O’Laughlin, president emeritus of Barry University; Cookie
Roberson, vice-chair of the Board of Regents and co-chair
of the Inaugural Gala Committee; Sister Mary Ellen Rufft,
past provincial director of the Congregation of Divine
Providence; other members of the College’s Board of
Regents and Board of Trustees; and alumni, faculty,
staff, students, friends and benefactors of the College.
Kelli Olexia, news anchor for KDKA-TV, served as mistress
of ceremonies for the Presidential Inaugural Gala. The Nick
Dialoiso Band (featuring Maureen Budway) provided
musical entertainment. Guests could also bid on a host
of items in a silent auction, including artwork, vacation
packages, and sports memorabilia. The event raised nearly
$70,000 for the President’s Fund for Excellence, which will
support programs and initiatives of the highest priority
identified by President Introcaso.
“We believe it was a fitting tribute to the
College’s new leader, and we thank our
many event sponsors who helped make
this a fundraising success.” - Ralph Gilbert
Ralph Gilbert (center) and wife Dottie browse through items at the
Gala’s silent auction.
PHOTO: GREG BLACKMAN
10 LA ROCHE MAGAZINE
FO
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A Powerful Alliance
At the dawn of the 21st century, Cranberry Township is one
of the fastest growing municipalities in the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, home to more than 25,000 people. Some
analysts say that number could nearly double in ten years.
In addition, industrial parks and business complexes
in and around Cranberry play host to major multinational
corporations, including Marconi Networks and Mine
Safety Appliances.
This potential for growth and expansion makes the Cranberry
area the perfect home for La Roche College’s newest satellite
campus, located in the Regional Learning Alliance
(RLA) at Cranberry Woods. A state-of-the-art education
and conference center, the RLA is the product of a ground-
breaking partnership among 11 local colleges, universities
and proprietary schools in the Pittsburgh area.
“The RLA positions the College very strategically to create
a much broader footprint in this region,” said Howard J.
Ishiyama, vice president for academic affairs at the College.
“It is a unique opportunity, one we intend to fully explore.”
The founding partners have labeled the RLA an education
mall, because prospective students can “shop” for their
educational needs in one facility. The RLA also hopes to
capitalize on the need for a conference center in the area.
Some say the eyes of the nation may soon be focused on how
well the concept works.
A New Educational Cooperative Creates a Satellite
Campus that Represents Significant Growth Potential.
wenty-five years ago, Cranberry Township was a sleepy, rural borough in
the southeastern corner of Butler County, PA, 20 miles north of the city of
Pittsburgh. Family farms occupied most of the land. T
WINTER 2005 11
At left: Howard Ishiyama, vice president for academic
affairs, in one of the meeting rooms at the Regional
Learning Alliance (RLA) at Cranberry Woods.
At right: A view of the main foyer.
PHOTOGRAPHY: RIC EVANS
A Look Insideompleted in August 2004, the
Regional Learning Alliance at
Cranberry Woods is housed in the
Cranberry Woods Office Park, located
off Route 228 in Cranberry Township
and adjacent Marshall Township.
The 76,000-square-foot modern facility boasts
a grand entrance and main hallway with
sweeping windows. The 32-foot wooden ceiling
in the main foyer is fashioned out of Arkansas
Yellow Pine. A “green” building, the RLA
boasts a LEED (Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design) designation, which
requires contractors to adhere to strict envi-
ronmentally-friendly construction guidelines.
Twenty-eight flexible meeting rooms can
accommodate small groups or up to 400 people.
The entire facility boasts advanced computer
technology and conferencing with two wireless
mobile computer labs, a Great Room with
wireless touch-panel audio-visual controls,
and computer projection in all meeting
rooms. Students who take classes at the
RLA and corporations that choose to hold
conferences there can utilize on-site dining
and catering services.
Accessibility
and Possibilities n addition to its in-house resources,
the Regional Learning Alliance’s
strategic location is a major plus for
La Roche. The facility is situated near
Route 19, I-79 and the Pennsylvania
Turnpike.
“Even though the RLA is only 15 or 20 minutes
from La Roche’s main campus, because of
its proximity to these major corridors, it
makes us much more accessible to potential
students,” said Ishiyama. “If we offer an
educational service that is first-class and we
have adults in this region that experience it,
“If we offer an educational service that is first-class and we have
adults in this region that experience it, then we have emissaries
that stretch across the region of Pittsburgh who are constantly
championing the La Roche mission.” - Howard Ishiyama
C
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FALL 2005 11
(continued on page 13)
12 LA ROCHE MAGAZINE
• Allegheny Valley Hospital: Studentspursuing a Master of Science in Health
Sciences (Nurse Anesthesia) gain practical
experience at this hospital when they
enroll in this degree program.
• Articulation Agreements: La Roche College allows students to transfer
credits from several Pittsburgh area
community colleges, including: Com-
munity College of Allegheny County,
Community College of Beaver County,
Butler County Community College, and
Westmoreland County Community
College. La Roche has a similar agreement
with Geneva College in Erie, PA and the
University of Laval in Quebec, Canada.
• Challenge Program: This is an educationalprogram for gifted students from 14 Pitts-
burgh area Catholic elementary schools.
• Duquesne University: La Roche studentswho enroll in degree programs such
as Respiratory Therapy, Physical Therapy,
Athletic Training and Physician Assistant
complete part of their course work at
La Roche and part of it at Duquesne
University.
• Lawrence County Learning Center: In the spring of 2005, the College became the
only four-year institution of higher learning
in the region to offer degree completion
programs at this center in New Castle, PA.
• Newport Business Institute: The Collegeoffered its LEAD (Leadership and Admin-
istrative Development) undergraduate
degree completion program at this facility
in Beaver County and maintains an artic-
ulation agreement with the institute
so that its students can transfer credits
to La Roche.
• Ohio Valley General Hospital: La Rochestudents that are pursuing degrees in
Radiography or Nursing obtain practical
experience through a partnership with
this Pittsburgh area healthcare provider.
• Palinet: This consortium of regional colleges allows member institutions in
greater Pittsburgh to share library resources.
• Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education(PCHE): La Roche is a long-standing
member of this organization. That mem-
bership allows La Roche students to
cross-register with other member instit-
utions in the region.
• Pittsburgh Filmmakers: In the fall of 2004,La Roche College became the principal
four-year institutional partner with this
organization. Students who enroll in
Film, Video and Media can tap into the
resources of Pittsburgh Filmmakers.
• Pittsburgh Public Schools: In the summer of 2004, students from the city
school district attended the inaugural
edition of “CSI: La Roche,” a forensic sci-
ence camp. The College is also offering
science scholarships to students in the
district.
• REALTORS® Association of Metropol-itan Pittsburgh (RAMP): This is the local
branch of a national professional organi-
zation for realtors. The College has
formed an exclusive relationship with
RAMP, to support La Roche’s real
estate degree program. Members of the
organization serve as mentors for stu-
dents. In addition, RAMP helped
La Roche secure a $50,000 grant from
the Pennsylvania Realtors Education
Association to support the La Roche
degree program.
• Regional Learning Alliance at Cran-berry Woods: This learning consortium
and conference center opened its doors
in the summer of 2004 and represents
the collaboration of 11 Pittsburgh area
colleges, universities and other propri-
etary schools.
• Scholar Program: Through this program, teachers in 17 western Pennsylvania
high schools (both Catholic and public)
are also adjunct professors at La Roche.
They teach courses in their districts that
are approved by La Roche. Students who
complete these courses at their own high
schools receive college credit.
• Scholar Credit Initiative Program: Highschool students in the Pittsburgh area
can enroll in La Roche classes and earn
up to 15 credits toward their college
education while they are still in high
school. They may transfer the credits to
La Roche or to another college or university.
• Sewickley Valley Hospital: Students in the College’s Radiography and Nursing
programs gain practical experience at
this hospital through this partnership.
• St. Clair Hospital: This Pittsburgh area healthcare provider also serves as a
place for nursing students at La Roche
to get on-the-job training.
• University of Pittsburgh: Through this partnership, students who enroll in
La Roche’s Chemical Engineering or
Material Sciences Engineering programs
spend the first three years at La Roche
and complete their studies at Pitt.
• UPMC Passavant: This hospital serves as more than La Roche’s neighbor on
Babcock Boulevard in Pittsburgh’s North
Hills. UPMC Passavant has given La Roche
a $50,000 grant to support the Associate
of Science in Nursing Lab, located in
Providence Hall on the West Campus.
In addition, the College is holding ongoing
discussions with the hospital to expand
La Roche’s health-related course offer-
ings and degree programs.
• Westmoreland Hospital: La Roche stu-dents enrolled in the Master of Science
in Health Sciences (Nurse Anesthesia)
program get their practical training at
this hospital.
ere is a glance at regional partnerships and affiliations maintained by La Roche College:
Choose Your Partner
H
FO
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12 LA ROCHE MAGAZINE
FALL 2005 13
The La Roche Approacha Roche College offers two adult-oriented acad-
emic programs at the Regional Learning Alliance.
For those seeking an advanced degree, the Master
of Science in Human Resources Management (HRM)
is one of the most comprehensive programs of its
kind in the area. The program is tailored to the needs of the
HR professional and offers a solid managerial base to others who
take on the challenge of managing a workforce. The College also
offers LEAD (Leadership and Administrative Development), an
undergraduate degree completion program for students seeking
careers in business and management.
The College has identified potential areas of expansion at the Regional
Learning Alliance, including a Writers’ Center similar to the one
on La Roche’s main campus. Experienced professional writers and
English professors would offer advice and counsel to students tackling
a term paper or other writing project. La Roche may also offer corpo-
rate language training to businesses in the area that send teams of
employees to regions such as the Far East or the Middle East.
The “Education Mall” Concepthe Regional Learning Alliance is a unique con-
cept in higher education – a partnership among
competing institutions.
“This venture will test institutions of higher learning to practice
what we teach our students – the paradigm of cooperation,” said
Ishiyama. The question, ‘What can we do if we work together?’ will
be answered.”
Ultimately, La Roche could participate in the formation of regional
learning alliances in other parts of Pennsylvania and in other
states. The College would be able to introduce its educational
programs to a market that is currently not accessible. Instead of
flying solo, La Roche would enter that market backed by the
strength and flexibility of a learning cooperative.
It could take years for such an aggressive expansion to take shape.
For now, Ishiyama is content that La Roche was instrumental in
formulating a prototype, a new model for adult higher education
in the United States.
PRISM overty is a leveling force in many
nations in the third world, cre-
ating disenchantment, disease
and despair. Its effects can be felt on
a global level.
In July, high school students from across the region
conducted intense discussions on the subject at PRISM
(Poverty Research in a Social Science Mode), an interactive,
two-day summer camp hosted by La Roche College
from July 6 through July 9.
then we have emissaries that stretch across the region of
Pittsburgh who are constantly championing the La Roche mission.”
These factors contribute to making the RLA a linchpin in the
College’s plans to recapture that adult student market in the region.
L
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“As the world becomes more and more interconnected,
poverty and inequality are issues that the next generation
must face,” said Paul LeBlanc, dean of the School of Arts
and Sciences at La Roche and organizer of PRISM.
“This session hopefully gave these young people some
context to search for solutions.”
The 13 students enrolled in PRISM attended workshops
with La Roche College professors in history, political
science, sociology, international studies and communi-
cations. They also participated in a teleconference with
personnel from the United Nations. In addition, they
produced video documentaries focusing on what
they had learned. The College’s partnership with
Pittsburgh Filmmakers allowed participants to utilize
state-of-the-art video and audio equipment to produce
their documentaries.
Students who participated in PRISM videotaped the sessions
for use in their documentaries.
“This venture will test institutions of higher learning to
practice what we teach our students – the paradigm of
cooperation. The question, ‘What can we do if we work
together?’ will be answered.” - Howard Ishiyama
14 LA ROCHE MAGAZINE
PR
OF
ILE
Final GiftB Y D A R R A H M U C H O N E Y
PH
OTO
: RIC
EVA
NS
osing a loved one to disease is a life-chang-
ing event for many spouses. When Harry
Rosenberg lost his wife Kris to brain cancer
in June 2004, he knew that it was important to
honor his wife’s exceptional spirit.
“I feel like half of me is missing,” said Rosenberg of his former
spouse. “She was such a part of me that I miss sharing things
with her. When she was excited about something, it was
genuine. Those were the moments I lived for.”
As a teacher, mentor, author, and psychotherapist, Kris Rosenberg
touched many lives, including her students at La Roche
College, where she was an adjunct instructor of psychology for
more than 20 years. To pay tribute to his wife’s legacy, Harry
Rosenberg recently established the Kris Rosenberg Memorial
Scholarship Fund for Returning Women at La Roche College.
Its goal is to assist women who have postponed their education
so that they could tend to family or personal issues.
Rosenberg’s choice of La Roche for the scholarship was easy
because of his wife’s deep connections to the College.
“She felt at home there,” reflected Rosenberg. “Everyone was
like family.”
Kris Rosenberg spent her early years in Alabama, and although
she began college, she left school after her first semester
to marry her first husband. After having two daughters,
Rosenberg contracted polio at the age of 27 and lost the use
of nearly all of her trunk muscles except one in her back.
Although this condition presented physical limitations,
Rosenberg went on to give birth to two more daughters.
After her first marriage ended in divorce, Kris Rosenberg met
and married Harry Rosenberg when the two were living in Las
Vegas. With Harry’s encouragement, Kris went back to college
full-time at the University of Las Vegas – Nevada, earning her
bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology.
In the late 1970s, the Rosenbergs moved to Pittsburgh, and Kris
became an adjunct professor of psychology at La Roche College.
“Kris had boundless energy for her students,” recalled her husband.
“She loved teaching kids to learn, to grow, to think for themselves
and to become an original.”
In addition to her teaching and counseling duties, Rosenberg
found time to write a book. Talk to Me: A Therapist’s Guide to
Breaking Through the Male Silence has gone through five transla-
tions. To recognize the success of her book and her contributions
to La Roche, Rosenberg received the Mary C. Stuart Award from
the College in 1994. She retired from teaching in 2000.
Harry Rosenberg remembers that his late wife, Kris, reached out to
everyone she encountered. His hope is that her legacy will enable
women to reach for possibilities in their own lives.
L
“Kris had boundless energy for her students. She loved teaching kids to learn, to grow, to think
for themselves and to become an original.” - Harry Rosenberg
FALL 2005 15
e-enactors often bring history to life by
portraying important figures from the
past. MariJean Ferguson, former profes-
sor of sociology at La Roche College, had a passion
for stepping into character and becoming Queen
Victoria of England or Jane Grey Cannon Swisshelm,
an abolitionist and Civil War nurse from Pittsburgh.
“She really admired these women that she portrayed,” said Carol
Moltz, chair of the Modern Languages Department and
Ferguson’s colleague and friend. “These were women of very
strong character, much like MariJean herself, who were bucking
the system at the time they lived.”
MariJean Ferguson died on Friday, February 25 at the age of 65.
The former chairperson of La Roche’s Department of Sociology
had been a member of the College’s faculty for 15 years.
To honor her memory, Ferguson’s family has established the
Dr. MariJean Ferguson Sociology Scholarship for Women.
Beginning this year, the College will award the scholarship to
one deserving female undergraduate student preparing to pursue
a degree in sociology.
“She would want her work to continue,” reflected Moltz, who
saw firsthand Ferguson’s dedication to both her profession and
her students. “She was very passionate about having her students
think about their lives in terms of race, class and gender, issues that
are central to the study of sociology. She would encourage them
to do honors papers. She would take them to conferences so
they would get involved in their discipline.”
Born in Winnipeg, Ferguson grew up in mining towns in north-
ern Canada. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees
from the University of Alberta and a doctorate from the
University of California at Berkeley. She was the author of two
a Roche College recently received three
generous gifts that will help deserving
La Roche students finance their college
education in the years ahead.
The estate of Dr. Hesselberg presented the College with a
bequest of $300,000 for the A. Kenneth and Doris B. Hesselberg
Endowed Scholarship Fund, which will provide general scholarship
support for La Roche College undergraduates. The College
received a bequest of $250,000 from the estate of Josephine
Fitting TributeR
In Their Memory Zappala, the late mother of Richard Zappala, emeritus trustee.
The Frank and Josephine Zappala Endowed Scholarship Fund
will provide scholarships to freshmen of Italian-American
heritage. The Robert B. Anticole Endowed Scholarship Fund is
earmarked for deserving La Roche students who plan to pursue
degrees in disciplines such as mathematics and computer
science. Anticole is the late husband of Inta Anticole, adminis-
trative assistant in the Office of Development at the College, who
established the fund in his honor.
These gifts are examples of how memorial scholarships and
planned giving can provide additional resources to the College
while also creating a lasting tribute to a loved one that has died.
La Roche College employs a number of options that can assist
individuals with their estate planning. For more information on
this initiative, contact the Office of Development at 412-536-1092.
L
books and the recipient of the Alumni Association Educator’s
Award in 1997. In April 2005, the College honored Ferguson
posthumously with the Faculty Excellence Award.
Carol Moltz will remember her friend’s infectious smile and sense
of humor. In Moltz’s view, Ferguson provided others with an
example of how to live life – with passion, with energy, and with
a commitment to seize every opportunity that comes along.
“She genuinely enjoyed people. She knew how toreach out to them. She had so many different circles of friends. She was just so much fun to bearound.” - Carol Moltz
MariJean Ferguson dressed in one of her authentic period costumes.
16 LA ROCHE MAGAZINE
A Congresswoman’s Advice embers of the La Roche College class of 2005
marked the beginning of a new phase in their
lives by receiving their degrees at the College’s
40th commencement ceremony. Relatives and friends of
175 graduates joined members of the La Roche community
for the annual ceremony in the Kerr Fitness and Sports
Center, held on Saturday, May 7.
Graduates benefited from the guidance of Congresswoman Melissa Hart, this year’s
commencement speaker, whose district includes Pittsburgh’s North Hills. In her
address to the class of 2005, she called on the graduates to remain open to unex-
pected challenges or unplanned happenings in their lives.
“Regardless of the choices you make for your life from here on, they limit you only to the
extent that you allow them to. You could wake up tomorrow and view life differently,
not quite sure what your role should be,” reflected Hart. “We have all experienced
this. The question is whether or not you will embrace such moments, and trust your
heart and pursue your dreams.”
In 2004, voters in the fourth Congressional district re-elected Hart to serve a third term
in the U.S. House of Representatives. During nearly five years in office, Hart has
championed the causes of domestic violence and abandoned newborn children. A
member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Hart has also been instrumental
in securing funding for so-called “brownfields” in Pittsburgh, abandoned industrial
sites that are often transformed into business and entrepreneurial ventures. Prior to
her election to Congress, Hart served for ten years in the Senate of Pennsylvania.
She is an Allegheny County native and a graduate of North Allegheny High School.
In her remarks to the graduates, Sister Candace Introcaso, La Roche president,
reminded students to search for balance in their lives.
“When you were a student, you learned the fine art of juggling: classes, studying,
family, job, friends, and, dare I say, maintaining a social life on top of all of this. You
are probably experts on multi-tasking,” said Introcaso. “However, I want to caution
you as you leave your role of student and begin to focus on your career. Don’t get so
consumed by your work that you lose touch with what is really important in life.”
Howard J. Ishiyama, vice president for academic affairs, served as master of cere-
monies for commencement. Janet Gates, associate professor of psychology, was this
year’s class marshal.
“I’d be willing to bet that some of the
best experiences of your life didn’t
come about because of meticulous
planning and careful research.
They were merely a part of the every-
day spontaneity or the inherent
lack of certainty in the world.”
- Congresswoman Melissa Hart
M
PHOTOGRAPHY: GREG BLACKMAN
FALL 2005 17
Head of the Class ollege professors spend the entire year reviewing and judging
the work of their students. At commencement, members of the
graduating class receive the opportunity to recognize the efforts of
one of their professors with the Brother Gregory Nugent Award for
Faculty Excellence.
The 2005 recipient of this award was Frances Sabo, Ph.D., associate professor of
education in the School of Arts and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. from the University
of Pittsburgh and both an M.Ed. and a B.S. from California University of
Pennsylvania. She has won numerous awards, including the Teaching Excellence
and Campus Leadership Award from the Sears-Roebuck Foundation and the
Teacher Educator of the Year Award from the PA Association of Colleges.
Sabo received the Brother Gregory Nugent Award at the Graduates’ Breakfast and
Awards Ceremony on Friday, May 6. The Brother Gregory Nugent Award is given
annually to a member of the faculty who – in the estimation of the graduating
students – is an outstanding teacher and dedicated mentor. The award is named for
Brother Gregory Nugent, F.S.C., who was a member of the Middle States team
responsible for the initial accreditation of La Roche College.
Woman of Providence he was a member of La Roche College’s first graduating class in 1965
and has been a fixture in the La Roche community for many years.
This year, La Roche College presented the Woman of Providence Award
to Sister Marilyn Bergt, CDP, M.S., coordinator of community outreach
for the Office of Campus Ministry.
Following her graduation from La Roche in 1965, Bergt completed her M.S. in biology at
St. Mary’s College in Winona, MN. During her first tenure at La Roche (1973 to 1982),
Bergt served as assistant professor of biology, assistant to the academic dean and registrar.
Since then, her ministry has placed her in a number of important positions: director of
the Newman Catholic Center at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI; one of the founding
members and executive director of the AIDS Interfaith Network of Michigan; and chaplain
for Dignity Detroit.
Bergt returned to the La Roche community in 2000 to assume her current role in the
Office of Campus Ministry. She has led students, staff and faculty in hundreds of community
service initiatives. Most recently, Bergt was instrumental in forming a partnership with
Hosanna Industries for a project called Team-4-A-Day (see article on page 3).
The Woman of Providence Award is given annually to a member of the Congregation of
Divine Providence whose life of service, as a part of the mission of the Congregation, is a
compelling example of God’s Providence made visible.
S
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18 LA ROCHE MAGAZINE
Service Above SelfB Y R O N C I C H O W I C Z
Blythe traded in the pursuit of fame and
fortune for an assignment that allows
her to help the less fortunate. For more
than two years, she was a Lasallian
Volunteer at Bishop Loughlin High
School in Brooklyn.
“Fate had a lot to do with this,” said
Blythe, the 2002 recipient of the presti-
gious President’s Award for Leadership
and Scholarship at La Roche. “Once my
senior year at La Roche started and I
began my job search, I had no burning
passion for any of the jobs I was consid-
ering. I didn’t want to teach, but I love
kids, so I thought I’d give Lasallian
Volunteers a try.”
Now employed at Bishop Loughlin as the
campus minister, Blythe works closely
with underprivileged students enrolled
at the school. Her introduction to that
community began by sharing in the
apostolic and community life of the De
La Salle Christian Brothers who
founded the Lasallian Volunteer Move-
ment in the 1980s.
“We were very happy Melissa made
the decision to join the Lasallian
Volunteers. It showed us that she was
thinking beyond herself and wanted to
give something back,” said Mary Blythe,
Melissa’s mother, who added that her
daughter’s choice was not a surprise.
“Melissa has always been a child ready to
do things for others.”
When it came time to choose a site,
Blythe opted to apply for Bishop Loughlin,
which has about 850 students from low-
income families. About 85 percent of the
student population is African-American,
and 15 percent is Hispanic. Less than half
are Catholic. The school is more than 150
years old and has turned out a number of
distinguished graduates, including former
New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.
It is funded in part by the Catholic
Diocese of Brooklyn and adult mentors
who help defray the cost of the $6,000
annual tuition for some of the students.
Since she arrived, Blythe has organized
and conducted an extensive retreat pro-
gram. She continues to be involved with
the school’s youth group, working with
the students to schedule service projects
all over New York City, such as working
in soup kitchens or cleaning up parks.
She also has worked with students to
update and improve the school’s Web-
site (www.bishoploughlin.org).
“In some ways, Melissa is probably doing
too much,” said Brother John McMahon,
one of Blythe’s former supervisors at
Bishop Loughlin. “If she has a weakness,
it’s that she says ‘yes’ too often. She does
it all with cheer and charity galore, and
her personal relationship with the kids is
just wonderful.”
Blythe learned about the Lasallian
Volunteers from her college roommate,
who had volunteered. David Kasievich
‘98, the movement’s current director, had
also encouraged Blythe to get involved.
Kasievich’s involvement in Lasallian
Volunteers stretches back to his days as
a student at Seton La Salle High School
in Pittsburgh.
Kasievich’s current responsibilities
include recruiting volunteers such as
Blythe. Full-time volunteers are required
to have a college degree or related work
experience and must make a one- to three-
year commitment. The program provides
room, board and a small stipend.
Even though she has evolved from volun-
teer to employee, Melissa Blythe is not
collecting a huge paycheck, but she is
quick to say that she is reaping plenty of
rewards for her efforts.
“I’m learning a lot about myself,” she
said. “I’m also learning that life is simple.
I don’t have a lot of money to spend, but
that doesn’t matter. The kids here are
great. They want you to be around them,
and they want to be around you.”
For Blythe, at least for now, that consti-
tutes job satisfaction.
or many college graduates eager to begin their
careers, the lure of New York City is irresistible. After
she graduated from La Roche College in 2002, Melissa
Blythe left her suburban Pittsburgh home for the attraction
of the Big Apple. The call did not come from Wall Street,
Madison Avenue, or even Broadway.
F
FALL 2005 19
La Roche Campus ClipsC
AM
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LIP
S
Tsunami Telethon
he devastating tsunami that struck several Asian coun-
tries in December 2004 sparked an outpouring of support
from people across the Pittsburgh area, and the La Roche
community joined the effort. On Friday, January 7, all four area
commercial television stations simulcast a live telethon titled
“Pittsburgh Responds,” which raised money for the Red Cross to
benefit the victims of the tsunami. La Roche students joined
students, staff and faculty from other area colleges by answering
phones and collecting pledges.
“I think it’s a great way to start off the new year – by helping others
who need our support,” said Lonnie Nolker, president of the Student
Government Association (SGA) at La Roche and an elementary
education major who volunteered his time to answer phones.
“This shows that our students and our institution care about
what’s going on elsewhere.”
Joining Nolker in the effort were Melissa Vrable, vice president of
SGA and a Spanish education major; and Leigh Ann Judkins, an
SGA member and an elementary education major.
T
New HRM Certificate Program
uman resources management professionals looking for
an edge can benefit from the new HR Professional
Certificate Program, being offered by the Human
Resources Management (HRM) Department at La Roche
College. This graduate-level track is designed specifically for
the practicing HR professional who wants to take the Professional
in Human Resources (PHR) or the Senior Professional in Human
Resources (SPHR) certification examination.
Students who enroll in this certificate program must
complete four courses that relate directly to material on the
PHR or SPHR exam. They include The SHRM Learning System,
Managerial Psychology, Legal Aspects of HRM, and a choice
from the following electives: Compensation, Benefits, or
Collective Bargaining. Students can complete the certificate in
as little as two semesters. For more information, contact the
Office of Admissions for Graduate and Continuing Education
at 412-536-1262 or [email protected].
HProfessor’s BookReceives Attention
his spring’s release of
“Star Wars: Episode III -
Revenge of the Sith,” the
final installment in the “Star
Wars” saga, created some buzz
for a La Roche professor’s latest
book. Joshua Bellin, associate
professor of English, critically
analyzes the cultural significance
of fantasy films, their characters
and how both tend to offer com-
mentary on important social
trends in Framing Monsters: Fantasy Film and Social Alienation
(Southern Illinois University Press, 2005). The book explores the
genre of fantasy film from the 1930s cult classic “King Kong” to
recent blockbusters such as “X-Men.” In May, Bellin discussed his
book with members of the Pittsburgh area media. He was a guest
on KQV-AM and on “The Mike Romigh Show” on KDKA-AM.
“These movies used to be classified as nothing more than escapism, a
chance to enter another world and to be entertained,” said Bellin.
“I believe many of these films carry a deeper message about
societal trends and cultural beliefs.”
A member of the La Roche faculty since 1999, Bellin is also the author
of The Demon of the Continent: Indians and the Shaping of American
Literature (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2001).
He holds a B.A. from Wesleyan University and a Ph.D. from the
University of Pennsylvania. Bellin is a native of Pittsburgh.
T
La Roche College Student Government members (left to right) Leigh Ann
Judkins, Melissa Vrable and Lonnie Nolker answer phones at a telethon
that benefited the victims of the December 2004 tsunami in East Asia.
Longtime Senior Administrator Departs
he was a member of the College’s senior administrative staff for many
years and a fixture at La Roche sine 1975. In February, the La Roche
community expressed its thanks and best wishes to Sister Carolyn
Winschel, CDP, former special assistant to the president for mission and planning.
“This is bittersweet,” said Winschel. “While I am saddened to leave the wonderful
and exciting world of La Roche which I have always enjoyed tremendously, I’m
happy about being able to better serve my community as a member of the
Marie de la Roche Provincial Leadership Team.”
Winschel’s two-year leave of absence will allow her to concentrate on her
duties as assistant provincial for the Congregation of Divine Providence.
S
La Roche Campus Clips
20 LA ROCHE MAGAZINE
New Academic Senate President
ean Forti, assistant professor and chair
of the Department of Human Resources
Management, has been elected presi-
dent of Academic Senate at La Roche College.
“My goal this year will be to ensure that all
individuals present during Senate meetings
have a voice in expressing their thoughts and
opinions in a way that is thoughtful, respect-
ful of other viewpoints, and constructive,” said
Forti. “I see my role more as a facilitator –
keeping the meeting and discussions on track,
ensuring all present have a voice, and provid-
ing a climate conducive to collaboration.”
A native of Buffalo, NY, Forti joined the La Roche
faculty in 2002.
National Acclaim forWebsite, Publications
his year, La Roche College
received national acclaim for
several publications and for
the College’s website, www.laroche.edu.
In July, Apex 2005, an annual awards
program recognizing excellence in
publications work by professional
communicators, presented La Roche
College with an Award of Excellence
for the freshman view book. Written,
designed and produced by the Office
of Public Relations, the view book is the key recruitment piece being utilized by
the Office of Freshman and International Admissions. In April, the view book
received an honorable mention from The Communicator Awards, an international
competition that recognizes outstanding work in the communication field. The
Communicator Awards also presented La Roche with an Award of Distinction for
both the College’s website and La Roche Magazine.
VP Visit
he Bush administration’s efforts
to reform Social Security took
center stage at La Roche College
this spring. On Thursday, March 24, Vice
President Dick Cheney hosted a town
meeting in the Kerr Fitness and Sports
Center. About 400 guests listened to
Cheney discuss the need for reform and
the administration’s proposals for change.
He was joined by Rep. Melissa Hart, who
co-hosted the event. Cheney’s stop on cam-
pus was part of a national tour to outline
President Bush’s plan for social security.
J
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E S
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Emeritus Trustees Recognized
his summer, La Roche College recog-
nized the distinguished service of two
emeritus trustees who have contributed
immensely to the College’s success over the past
two decades. On June 30, Sister Candace
Introcaso, La Roche president, hosted a reception
at her residence to honor Richard Zappala
and Earnest Edwards. Zappala, chairman of
First City Company, served on the College’s
Board of Trustees for 16 years. At various times,
he held posts including vice chair and chair of
the board. Edwards, former senior vice president
and controller of Alcoa, joined the Board of
Trustees in 1991 and served as both vice chair
of the board and chair of the Development
Committee at various times during his tenure.
At the reception, both Edwards and Zappala
received a framed copy of the resolutions of
appreciation that had been unanimously
approved by the Board of Trustees.
T
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